HIMALAYAN KINGDOM NEPAL

NEPAL AT A GLANCE

Geography :	Situated between China in the north and India in the south
Time Difference :	Nepal is 5:45 hours ahead of GMT
Area :	147,181Sq.km.
Population :	25 Miliom
Capital :	Kathmandu (city population 500,000) (Kathmandu Valley 1 million)
People :	More than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages
National Language :	Nepali
Currency :	Nepalese Rupees (approximately USS 1= RS. 72)
Religion :	Hinduism and Buddhism
Climate :	winter (Dec.---Feb.), summer (June --- Aug)
Political System :	Republic of Nepal

It is said "Nepal looks like a Silver Necklace from the Space". Obviously, Himalayan kingdom Nepal, sand-witched between China and India, is the land of eternal fascination. It is not only the land of Everest. It is not only the birthplace of Buddha and the abode of gods but also the land of brave Gurkha soldiers and the playground of mystical snowman 'Yeti'. Moreover, it is the land of culture, nature and adventure.

The elevation of the country ranges from 60m above the sea level to the highest point on earth. Because of its unique geographical position, climate varies from place to place. Consequently, different kind of vegetation, flora and fauna of every corner of the world can be found here. Although, Nepal occupies only 0.1% of the earth but it is the home to 2% of all the flowering plants in the world, 8% of the worlds population of birds, 319 species of exotic orchids, 635 species of butterfly, 4% of mammals on earth. The world's highest lake and the world's deepest gorge are in Nepal. The Nepalese Himalayas contains 8 of the 10 highest peaks on earth including Sagarmatha 'Everest' 8,848m the tallest of all. Hence, Nepal is often known as the biggest natural museum in the world.

Nepal enjoys possessing the eight world heritage sites (cultural) offered by UNESCO including the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Nepalese art and architecture are stupendous! As Nepal has more than 61 ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages, all they have their own culture and tradition. It is said "Many temples as many houses and many god-goddess as many people in the Katmandu valley". Half of the year passes with colorful festivals depicting a rich cultural heritage with profound religious meaning. Although, Nepal is a Hindu kingdom- here is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and Buddhism. Religion is an integral and deep-rooted part of Nepalese life. It is the land where feet are respected. And, it is the land where myths and legends are still alive.

POKHARA VALLEY

(Far from the madding crowd)

	It is said " If there is a paradise on earth, it begins from north to Pokhara." Obviously, on the lap of Annapurna Himalayan Range, Pokhara is blanketed with emerald blue lakes, green forests, deep gorges and underground waterfalls, caves, hills and rills. If Kathmandu is the cultural hub- Pokhara, a place of exhilarating beauty is to refresh and relax and to discover the mysterious creation of nature. Thousand of people from different part of the world come here just to awake the sleeping beauty. Sight Seeing Places : Bindabasini Temple Seti Gorge Cultural Museum Mountain Museum David Fall Tibetan Refugee Camp Mahadev Cave Barahi Temple Saranglkot Sunrise tour from where one can have beautiful sunrise view And Panaromic mountain view (3 mountains above 8,000 m. can be seen)
Laboriosa Wild Honey	Mt. Manaslu (8163 m.) the first Japanese Mr. Toshio Imanashi to climb on 9th June 1956